The standoff between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons has stretched into September.
There have been plenty of restricted free agency negotiations over the years that remained unresolved before training camps begin. But it's an unprecedented situation for a player as accomplished and decorated as Duren, an All-Star and third-team All-NBA selection for the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed last season.
"There's still a gap," an executive from another team said, "and it's going to drag."
The talks between Duren and the Pistons have been dragging since last summer. The sides didn't come close to agreeing to a contract extension before last fall's deadline, tabling the talks until this offseason and putting Duren in a prove-it position. He responded with a breakout regular season at age 22, averaging 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds while continuing to be a rugged interior presence.